Reliability of Muscle Strength and Muscle Power Assessments Using Isokinetic Dynamometry in Neuromuscular Diseases: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to critically appraise and summarize the evidence for reliability of muscle strength and muscle power assessment in patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) using isokinetic dynamometry. METHODS: PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase electronic databases were searched from inception to March 8, 2022. Studies designed to evaluate reliability of muscle strength and power measurements using isokinetic dynamometry were included in this review. First, the methodological quality of the studies was assessed according to the Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments guidelines. Next, the quality of measurement properties was determined. Finally, the methodological quality and quality of measurement properties of the studies were combined to obtain a best-evidence synthesis. RESULTS: A best-evidence synthesis of reliability was performed in 11 studies including postpoliomyelitis syndrome (n = 5), hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (n = 2), motor neuron diseases (n = 1), myotonic dystrophy (n = 1), and groups of pooled NMDs (n = 2). A best-evidence synthesis on measurement error could not be performed. Quality of evidence on reliability ranged from high in postpoliomyelitis syndrome to very low in hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, motor neuron diseases, and groups of pooled NMDs. The most frequently used outcome measure was peak torque, which was reliable in all populations (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.7). CONCLUSION: The quality of evidence for reliability of isokinetic dynamometry was found to vary substantially among different NMDs. High quality of evidence has been obtained only in patients with postpoliomyelitis syndrome. Further research is needed in the majority of known NMDs to determine reliability and validity of isokinetic dynamometry. IMPACT: The ability of isokinetic dynamometers to capture clinically relevant changes in muscle strength and muscle power in NMDs remains unclear. Isokinetic dynamometry results in NMDs should be interpreted with caution.